Eclipse-viewing glasses are probably the most in-demand item in Fort Collins right now.

With less than a week to go until the total solar eclipse, nearly every store that stocked the glasses has sold out. That's a buzzkill for would-be eclipse-watchers, because you need a pair to safely look at the eclipse outside the path of totality. Fort Collins is a few hours south of the path.

If you haven't snagged a pair of glasses yet, you still have a few options.

1. Call, call, call — then wait.

The following stores told the Coloradoan on Monday and Tuesday afternoon that they were sold out of or not selling eclipse glasses: Lowe's, King Soopers, Safeway, Walmart, Target, Bath Garden Center, CSU Little Shop of Physics, Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and Al's Newsstand.

Nature's Own in Old Town told us they were expecting a new shipment on Tuesday afternoon. As of about 2:30 p.m., they were nearly sold out again. Ace Hardware in Old Town might see a new shipment on Wednesday.

It's worth a shot calling other stores, especially those outside of Fort Collins, to see if they're selling glasses or expecting new shipments before Monday.

A search for "eclipse glasses" on Craigslist brings up a lot of options, especially if you're willing to drive outside the Fort Collins area to pick them up. Amazon, eBay and other online retailers are also selling glasses, but prices are steep (in the neighborhood of $35 to $100 per pair). You'll also probably have to shovel out money for express shipping.

If you're buying glasses online, check out the authenticity of the seller and make sure the brand of glasses is listed on the American Astronomical Society's list of reputable vendors. This is important because the society just put out a warning about "potentially unsafe eclipse viewers flooding the market," not long before Amazon issued a recall on some eclipse glasses.

In addition to checking the brand, make sure the “ISO” (International Organization for Standardization) icon is on any eclipse glasses you buy. The glasses also must have the ISO reference number 12312-2.

3. Head to a local event or the path of totality.

Colorado State University's Little Shop of Physics is hosting an eclipse-themed event on campus in the fields near the intersection of Meridian and University avenues. The festivities will include viewing glasses, two telescopes set up to project the eclipse, a disco ball that will project hundreds of images of the partial eclipse on a screen, mirror cards for viewers to make their own projections and more.

You can safely view the eclipse without glasses while the moon is fully covering the sun for about 2 to 3 minutes in the path of totality. Stores in the path of totality might have more glasses available for looking at the eclipse before and after totality, which is a big part of the event. Or you could cross your fingers that a fellow eclipse-watcher will be a good Samaritan and share their glasses with you.

If you've exhausted all options for safely looking at the eclipse head-on, it might be time to make a pinhole projector. To use it, you stand with your back to the sun while your handy-dandy projector makes a small image of the eclipse in front of your eyes. All you need is a cereal box and some aluminum foil for the NASA-approved version.

CLOSE

Looking directly at a solar eclipse will damage your eyes, so you have to view it with special glasses or by constructing a pinhole camera.
Sean Heisey, York Daily Record

5. Don't take any chances.

Those without glasses might be tempted to look at the eclipse without them, but remember that looking at the partial eclipse head-on for even a fraction of a second could permanently damage your eyesight. NASA says sunglasses aren't sufficient protection. And contrary to what some may tell you, NASA doesn't endorse looking at the partial eclipse through a mirror or a bucket of water. Media outlets, including the Coloradoan, and other groups across the country will be live-streaming, recording and photographing the eclipse, so you'll still be able to catch a glimpse of the action in real time.

SOLAR ECLIPSE 2017

What is a solar eclipse?

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth. The moon appears to completely cover the disk of the sun. By blocking the sun's light, the moon casts a shadow on Earth.

What if I can't travel for the eclipse?

Have no fear, Fort Collins. Even though we're not in the path of totality here in Northern Colorado, as long as skies are clear we should still see a partial eclipse, in which only part of the sun will be blocked by the moon. It's cool, but we likely won't notice our surroundings getting dark.

After this year's eclipse, the next total solar eclipse in the U.S. will be on April 8, 2024, and will be visible from Texas to New England.

Other places to view the eclipse

Grand Teton National Park: The southern edge of this Wyoming national park is within the path of totality. Talk about scenic views, but you'll have to drive upwards of seven hours.

Elsewhere in Wyoming: Head to the small towns of Guernsey or Torrington to save yourself some driving time. You can get to either town in about two and a half hours and be in the path of totality, although neither town will see the total eclipse for as long as Casper.

Nebraska: Alliance, Scottsbluff and North Platte are all within four hours of Fort Collins and are in the path of totality. Scottsbluff is a mere two hours and some change from Fort Collins, but it's not quite as close to the center of the path as are the other two cities.